DescriptionThe Special Events Manager strengthens the Atlanta Humane Society’s community presence and fundraising impact through strategic event leadership, relationship management, and operational excellence. This full-time role reports to the Director of Special Events and provides independent oversight of a diverse portfolio of events while directly managing and developing two event coordinators.
This role exercises sound judgment in planning and execution, anticipates and mitigates risks, balances stakeholder needs, and is accountable for event performance, sponsor fulfillment, and donor experience. The ideal candidate is a confident decision-maker, collaborative leader, and experienced event professional who thrives in dynamic environments and models professionalism, accountability, and empathy.
Duties & Responsibilities
Event Leadership & Execution
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Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of large-scale fundraising and engagement events, owning timelines, execution quality, and guest, donor, and sponsor experience.
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Anticipate risks, identify potential bottlenecks, and proactively adjust plans, staffing, and vendor coordination in real time to ensure seamless execution and a calm, professional on-site experience.
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Serve as an on-site leader at Atlanta Humane Society events, including fundraisers, community engagement events, vaccine clinics, appreciation events, and corporate experiences.
Vendor, Sponsor & Stakeholder Management
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Oversee and hold accountability for key logistical partners including production firms, caterers, venue staff, printers, photographers, and rental vendors; address issues and escalations professionally and independently.
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Manage sponsor, vendor, and committee relationships by balancing partner needs with organizational priorities and ensuring fulfillment, retention, and long-term partnership value.
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Elevate donor and sponsor stewardship through timely acknowledgment, personalized engagement, consistent follow-up, and high-quality post-event experiences.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
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Guide coordinators in designing, executing, and evaluating their events, including third-party fundraisers, community engagement activities, adoption events, and internal requests.
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Collaborate across departments to promote events, ensure sponsorship fulfillment, staffing needs, accurate branding, and operational readiness.
Strategy, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement
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Analyze event challenges and root causes; implement corrective actions, refine processes, test new approaches, and document learnings to improve future outcomes.
Operations & Administration
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Help manage event budgets, reporting, Salesforce data accuracy, expense tracking, and other administrative needs that support smooth execution.
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Maintain project plans, event calendars, timelines, and organizational systems that ensure clear communication and accountability.
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Oversee post-event activities including debriefs, donor follow-up, auction fulfillment, surveys, and vendor correspondence.
Professionalism & Culture
Qualifications
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Experience managing or supervising others, including delegating work, giving feedback, and taking responsibility for outcomes.
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Strong people skills with the ability to communicate clearly, solve problems, and navigate challenges with donors, vendors, and internal partners.
Working Conditions
